AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black

by Charvel
Alternative Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin BlackElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583623
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSD

by Fender
Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSDElectric BassVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck profile: Late 50s...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571472
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS

by Schecter
Blues Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANSElectric BassSwamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckFingerboard: MapleEbony side block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543303
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 SOWHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 SOWHP

by Sadowsky
Rock Blues Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 SOWHPElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595885
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BK

by Fender
Country Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BKPrecision Electric BassDuff McKagan SignatureArtist seriesBody: AlderBolted neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 456883
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBM

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596233
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM

by Sadowsky
Country Classic Rock Alternative
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596260
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM

by Sadowsky
Country Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado WHMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596255
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass SB

by Fender
Alternative Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass SBElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: RosewoodFretboard inlays: White...

⭐ 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571483
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM4 MN BLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sandberg California II VM4 MN BLB

by Sandberg
Pop Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Sandberg California II VM4 MN BLBE-BassBody: AshNeck: MapleScale: 34 "(long scale)Fretboard: Maple22x...

⭐ 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363372
$1,836
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS

by Fender
Rock Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TSElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609109
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TS

by Sandberg
Blues Classic Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TSElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroNut width: 39.5 mm...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439991
$1,836
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN SSY - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN SSY

by Fender
Country Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN SSYElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609112
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CAR

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CARElectric bassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoScale: 864...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596214
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CHM

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM WHMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596229
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string p-basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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